Taiwan Puts Conditions on Hiring Indian Migrant Workers

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Taipei: Taiwan said on Monday that plans to bring Indian migrant workers to the island to address labour shortages will move forward only if there is demand from local industries and India meets Taiwan’s conditions.

Taiwan is seeking to diversify its foreign labour force beyond traditional sources such as Indonesia and Philippines as it faces a declining birthrate and an ageing population.

Official figures show Taiwan has more than 870,000 foreign workers, with over 60 percent employed in manufacturing, construction, agriculture and caregiving sectors.

Taiwan and India signed a memorandum of understanding in February 2024 covering the recruitment of Indian workers.

Labour Minister Hung Sun-han said earlier this month that around 1,000 Indian workers could arrive in 2026 under a pilot programme.

However, political opposition and public criticism have slowed momentum behind the proposal. Critics, including lawmakers from the opposition Kuomintang, raised concerns over safety and worker management.

Speaking in parliament on Monday, Hung said the programme would proceed only if Taiwanese industries requested workers and if India satisfied regulatory requirements.

“If the two conditions are not met, then there’s no question of introducing the workers,” Hung said, adding that safety remained the government’s top priority.

Lawmakers also highlighted concerns over undocumented migrant workers. Official data showed more than 93,000 foreign workers were listed as “missing” but believed to still be in Taiwan as of the end of February.

A public petition calling for the indefinite suspension of the Indian worker plan has gathered more than 42,000 signatures.

India’s representative office in Taipei did not comment on the issue.